Date: 09/28/2014

Number: 95

We arrived at Cherry Gap Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 2:45 PM. Small groupings of Monarchs and single butterflies were passing overhead just at treetop level and higher. Several of us began counting, and I kept tally. We counted for 15 minutes and reached 95. It might have been 100, but as the last group of 5 could have been reported twice, I discounted the additional number. The flow was steady for about an hour then tapered off as the temperature lowered. The gap in the mountain ridge was much wider than we could cover, and likely many other Monarchs crossed that were not counted.

This was the first time we ever observed the Monarch migration, and with me were my wife, a son and daughter-in-law and their three children, and two adult friends. The sky was mostly overcast and a rain front is supposed to be moving in tonight. At Cherry Gap Overlook a sign is posted that discusses the Monarch migration and how the location is a good one for observation. We drove up last weekend and saw none, but today it was amazing.

The butterflies in the photograph performed something of a dance together in the air, and someone said they were mating. I had mistakenly expected I could get some close-up photos, and since we had planned to bike ride, I had left my telephoto lens at home to save weight. So, the photo was taken with a macro lens and cropped tight.

Asheville, NC

Latitude: 35.6 Longitude: -82.6

Observed by: Mickey
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.